Sheriff Disputes Claims Black Forest Fire was Intentionally Set

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa is disputing statements made by Black Forest Fire Chief Bob Harvey that this summer’s wildfire that destroyed more than 500 homes and killed two people was caused by humans and "likely intentional."

Harvey told CBS affiliate KKTV and ABC affiliate KRDO that he’s been working with investigators and that was the conclusion they reached. Sheriff Maketa released a statement last night calling the remarks inappropriate and misleading, and says national experts involved in the investigation aren’t backing the claims.

It’s long been known that the Black Forest Fire was human-caused, but Maketa says the investigation is ongoing.